KJ Hannah Greenberg’s poem Eat Merrily: A Little Girl’s Cacophonous Tastes was published here as part of Contributor Series 8: Feast and Famine. In other exciting news, her new collection of poems, A Bank Robber’s Bad Luck With His Ex-Girlfriend will be published in December 2011 via unbound CONTENT. In this poem: Rechov Hanaviim is the Street of the Prophets in Jerusalem, Hashem is used in place of the name of God, sim shalom is a blessing, Moshiach refers to the messianic time to come, Ulpan is a program of classes for new immigrants to Israel, and ayn baya means no problem.
Rechov Hanaviim
By KJ Hannah Greenberg
Bristling haughty desert rats,
Swarthy cousins, never brothers,
Flaunt ancient acrimony.
Hashem! Protect my generations. Sim shalom,
Until pregnant women and others burdened
Bring Moshiach.
Ulpan means long hours
Repeating “ayn baya,” answering questions,
Protesting anticipated understanding.
Words, sacrificed, build bridges.
Anyone and their own Arabs resolve
Nothing. Rechov Hanaviim remains contested.
